There are three parts to a tooth: the root, the neck and the crown. The anatomical crown is normally located above the gum, and the neck and root are covered by surrounding tissues. That is why caries, which is located at the border with the gum and near the neck of the tooth, is called cervical (otherwise known as cervical).

Below are several photographs with examples of cervical caries:

Many people begin to take cervical caries and the reasons that cause it seriously only when the problem is already clearly evident in the reflection in the mirror and causes natural aesthetic inconvenience. The smile zone is of particular value for people who need communication to accomplish certain tasks. And since cervical caries is often localized precisely on the front teeth, there is an urgent need to restore the aesthetic component.

The photo below shows a typical example of cervical caries on the front teeth:

At the same time, many questions arise regarding the reasons causing such problems and, of course, regarding possible methods for eliminating cervical caries, which we will talk about next.

The main causes of cervical caries

The main reasons for the development of cervical caries in general differ little from the reasons that cause other forms of dental caries. They are connected:

1. With the nature and diet: the amount and frequency of consumption of foods containing easily fermentable carbohydrates.
2. With a microbial factor: the activity under dental plaque and in its volume is predominantly of bacteria of the species Streptococcus mutans. In this case, bacteria ferment carbohydrates with the formation of organic acids, which affect the surface and subsurface layers of enamel with the formation of foci of demineralization. As a result, calcium, phosphorus, and fluorine are washed out, the mineral crystal lattice of the enamel is disrupted, with the gradual formation of a carious stain.
3. A very common cause of carious lesions is also the lack of adequate oral hygiene (correctly developed manual skills for cleaning tooth surfaces, the regimen and frequency of this procedure).

Photo in the cervical area of ​​the tooth:

From the experience of a dentist

I often get asked questions like: “Why then does my brother eat as much sweets as he wants and whenever he wants for many years now, and doesn’t even really brush his teeth, but they are still intact, and I have solid fillings?”

The fact is that although the causes of caries are the same for everyone, they affect everyone differently. A significant role in the prevention of caries is played by the composition and quantity of saliva, its remineralizing properties, the functional state of the body, environmental influences, caries susceptibility of the tooth surface, and the individual structure of dental tissues, determined by genetics and heredity.

However, the cervical area of ​​the tooth also has a number of features that contribute to the fact that the carious process here can very quickly pass from the stage of initial caries to deep...

Diversity of clinical presentation

In its development, cervical caries goes through the same stages as any other:

• Caries in the spot stage;
• Surface;
• Average;
• Deep.

A feature of cervical (cervical) caries is that it is often difficult to determine at what stage of destruction the enamel and (or) dentin are. It is especially difficult to establish the difference between caries in the spot stage and superficial caries, as well as between medium and deep.

This is due to the fact that at the border of the transition of the crown part of the tooth to its neck there is thin and often weakly mineralized enamel. As a result, the cervical area tends to become subject to excessive abrasion due to poor brushing techniques, excessive brushing, and the use of highly abrasive toothpastes (commonly called whitening toothpastes).

As a result, over the years, the thickness of the enamel in the cervical area becomes less and less. And as soon as this zone ceases to experience the cleansing factor, then, with a combination of several cariogenic mechanisms, cervical caries quickly develops.

Note

Many patients mistakenly call cervical defects cervical dental caries. From the point of view of the classification of caries, such forms do not exist, but the doctor, when a patient asks to cure “cervical caries of the front tooth,” easily understands what kind of help is needed from him (and often we are not even talking about caries, but about wedge-shaped defects, which we are talking about We'll talk more below).

Gingival caries is a synonym for cervical caries. It is only important to distinguish perigingival from subgingival. The first develops directly above the gum, and the second - in those areas of the tooth that are below the gum.

Most people, when carious stains appear on teeth in the cervical area (initial stage), may already experience unpleasant sensations: a feeling of discomfort, a feeling of setbacks and even certain pains characteristic of hypersensitive teeth, but this is less common. Basically, caries in the spot stage is asymptomatic and is detected only visually in the form of a white or pigmented spot.

Below is a photo of cervical caries in the spot stage:

With superficial caries, pain often occurs from chemical irritants (salty, sweet) and temperature (cold). Outwardly, at this stage, the disease resembles caries in the spot stage, but when probing at the dentist with a special sharp instrument (probe), a roughness zone is revealed in the center of a large spot.

Medium and deep cervical caries are often characterized by a whole palette of pain symptoms from all types of irritants. Sometimes they may be accompanied by pain from mechanical influences when hard food gets in, but this is rare due to the shape of the teeth, which protects the cervical areas from food getting under the edge of the gum.

Cervical often causes pain when inhaling cold air.

A month ago I had to go to the dentist because my front teeth were falling out. First, the very front ones near the gums darkened slightly, and then the fangs also darkened. It didn't end there. Just a few days before visiting the dentist, I began to feel severe pain in my front teeth from cold water and sometimes from sweets. I tried to drink warm water and eat less, but this could not continue. I went to the clinic, where in 5 visits my front teeth were repaired first, and then my fangs. They said it was advanced cervical caries. True, the color choice was not quite perfect, but it saved money.

Maxim, Tolyatti

The following photo clearly shows deep caries in the cervical area:

Cervical caries and circular: similarities and differences

The following lesion zone is characteristic of cervical caries: the gingival areas of the vestibular (buccal) as well as the lingual (palatal) surfaces of the lateral and anterior teeth.

If the causes of the pathology are not eliminated, then the boundaries of the caries lesion in the cervical area increase to the contact surfaces covering the tooth in the form of a ring - in this case they already speak of circular caries. That is, circular caries can be conditionally called a “cervical complication.”

To a greater extent, circular caries affects milk teeth, especially in weakened children. It is also called “ring” or “anular”.

In the photo below you can see an example of circular caries on a child’s baby teeth:

It is not difficult to guess that circular caries, being more aggressive, more often occurs with pronounced clinical symptoms, and even sometimes leads to breaking or spalling of the crown part of the affected tooth. However, in some cases, even such serious defects may not cause significant pain, since they produce replacement dentin, which protects the pulp from irritation.

Possibilities of differential diagnosis of cervical caries

At home, it can be difficult to determine exactly what kind of formation on a tooth spoils the aesthetics or causes pain. Spots, streaks, defects, depressions in the cervical area - all this can characterize the following types of pathologies:

1. Actually cervical caries.
2. Dental diseases of non-carious origin (fluorosis, hypoplasia, erosion, wedge-shaped defect, etc.).
3. Various variants of pigmented (colored) dental plaque, up to the so-called “smoker’s plaque.”

The photo below shows stains on teeth due to fluorosis:

Of all these options, cervical caries ranks first in the number of people visiting the dentist. Other types of pathologies are less common.

Only a doctor can correctly make a final diagnosis, but you can correctly navigate yourself even before visiting the dentist. Most often, difficulties arise when comparing caries with fluorosis and enamel hypoplasia.

The length of time that a stain or stains have existed on the enamel, as well as their location on different parts of the tooth crown, may indicate hypoplasia (its cause is the underdevelopment of tooth enamel, which is caused at the stage of fetal development in the mother’s body). To confirm the diagnosis, the dentist stains the spot with a 2% solution of methylene blue. If the spot does not stain, it is enamel hypoplasia, and not cervical caries in the white spot stage.

Fluorosis is more difficult to distinguish from caries and other non-carious lesions. It is important here to know the level of fluoride in drinking water in a given area or area of ​​early residence. If it is elevated, then the multiple nature of the stains located on the teeth of the same name at the same time indicates fluorosis. Cervical caries most often develops in the form of a single carious spot.

It is important to distinguish between a wedge-shaped defect and cervical caries: they differ in that the first has a wedge shape or a V-shape. With a wedge-shaped defect, the walls of the cavity are dense, smooth and shiny, which cannot be said about carious tooth destruction in the cervical area.

Despite the fact that the localization of these diseases is the same, the appearance of the cavity always tells the doctor the correct diagnosis. In addition, the initial forms of caries and wedge-shaped defects can be recognized by staining with special caries indicators.

There is no such thing as wedge-shaped dental caries. This is an erroneous common name for a wedge-shaped defect.

In the photo you can compare a wedge-shaped defect and cervical caries:

I went to the dentist about strange decay of the front and back teeth on the left. I am already over 50 years old, I have almost all my teeth, I have not suffered from caries, unlike my relatives, but recently I felt pain from cold water and began to look at my teeth in the mirror. I found some holes near the gums on the canine and on other teeth only on the left side.

The doctor said at the appointment that these were wedge-shaped defects on three teeth on the left, and not caries at all. A possible reason turned out to be that I am right-handed, and I always brushed my teeth hard and for a long time, so I erased the enamel on the left side, since it is more convenient to clean there. The dentist showed me that there are also beginning wedge-shaped defects on the right, but they are not expressed yet.

Sergey, Volokolamsk

Modern treatment methods and the specifics of choosing materials for fillings

Depending on the depth of the lesion, the appropriate treatment tactics are selected.

Home treatment of cervical caries can be carried out as an addition to the treatment of caries in the spot stage. The following applies:

• toothpastes and gels containing high concentrations of fluorides, as well as calcium and phosphorus compounds;
• dental floss (floss) impregnated with fluoride;
• rinses, again with fluorides (since it is this element that very effectively promotes the mineralization of tooth enamel).

Using fluoride-containing complexes on your own without first consulting a dentist can be hazardous to your health. Any prescription of drugs or additional funds is based on the diagnosis, the activity of the carious process, the area of ​​the lesion, long-term results and possible risks.

Cervical caries in the spot stage most often responds to conservative treatment, that is, without the use of a drill. However, due to the close location to the gum tissue, the constant leakage of gingival fluid into the working area and the thin layer of enamel, certain difficulties are created for the use of some new techniques.

For example, the modern minimally invasive technology ICON (ICON), due to the close location of dentin in the cervical area, is limited in use, since the substances used cannot affect dentin. It can be difficult to determine how thin the enamel in the cervical area is in a particular person, so this technique is used relatively rarely for cervical caries.

Chemical preparations related to remineralization therapy and deep fluoridation of enamel have become widespread.

In adult and pediatric dentistry, the following drugs are currently actively used for the treatment of initial cervical caries:

• Gluflutored;
• Enamel-sealing liquid;
• Belagel Ca/P, Belagel F.
• Remodent.

Treatment of superficial, medium and deep cervical caries when conservative therapy is not possible is carried out in the following sequence:

1. Anesthesia (anesthesia) to ensure painless manipulation.
2. Cleansing a carious tooth from dental deposits to reduce the infectious load.
3. Preparation (mechanical processing) of a tooth to remove carious and pigmented tissues.
4. Medicinal treatment of the cavity with weak antiseptic solutions.
5. Formation of a cavity according to the selected material for a permanent filling.
6. Filling the formed cavity.

The difficulty of choosing a material for a filling is determined by the immediate location of the formed cavity near the edge of the gum. The closer the cavity is to the gum, the more difficult it is to properly install the material. The reason for this is the possibility of moisture, gingival fluid and blood getting onto the working surface.

Dentist's opinion

The most difficult ones for high-quality filling are not even the subgingival carious cavities, but their combination with subgingival ones. Combined forms are not so rare and are associated with the activity of the carious process in a particular tooth. Often, cervical caries of the anterior teeth is complicated by subgingival defects, which, as a result of preparation, can be difficult to isolate from fluid (blood) even with the use of a rubber dam. In this case, the doctor chooses a material that may be inferior in strength and aesthetics, but hardens reliably in a humid environment.

Due to the specific localization of carious cavities, the choice of dentists comes down to the use of glass ionomer cements (GIC), which are more resistant to moisture compared to aesthetic light-cured composite materials. Hybrid GICs are of particular interest.

Note

One of the most widely used glass ionomer cements for filling cavities with cervical caries is VITREMER. This is one of the few GICs that has a wide range of colors, a triple curing mechanism and high strength. In the treatment of cervical caries, this material competes with aesthetic light-curing composite materials.

Modern methods and technologies make it possible to combine glass ionomer cements with composites to achieve maximum effect. Competently following the instructions for the materials used makes it possible to profitably use the positive properties of each subsequent material when introduced into the formed cavity, creating a filling with reliable fixation, increased retention time, strength and aesthetics.

An example of filled teeth after treatment of cervical caries is shown in the photo below:

Unfortunately, many budget organizations cannot boast of the ability to use modern technologies and materials. The equipment of hospitals and clinics is often limited only to materials for compulsory medical insurance, where there is no rubber dam, saliva ejector, modern and convenient for working with cervical defects GIC, light-curing composites - all that is required for high-quality work in the long term.

A week ago, standing in front of the mirror, I discovered a dark spot on my upper front tooth near the gum. There was no pain, but the fear of the prospect of walking with a black tooth seemed to me, as a physics teacher at school, stronger than the fear of the dentist since childhood. They recommended a good doctor in a small private office, where after examining the spot, the doctor said that it was cervical caries, which had already destroyed all the enamel and had gone a little under the gum. It turned out that fear has big eyes: they made a good imported injection, drilled a little, put a filling in one go, and even the color of the filling, one might say, is almost like the real one - you can’t even tell the difference from the outside.

Alexander, Omsk

Features of early diagnosis and prevention of cervical caries

Among the common methods for diagnosing cervical caries are the following:

1. Visual methods. They are actively used by both the doctor and the patient. When caries occurs on the front teeth, recognizing defects (especially in advanced form) is not so difficult. In this case, the doctor only needs a dental mirror and a probe.
   
2. Laser diagnostics. An equally popular technique, especially when it comes to hidden caries or zones. One of the devices, “Diagnodent,” uses the principle of changing the characteristics of a laser beam reflected from dental tissues affected by caries. As soon as cervical caries or root caries is found, the device emits a sound signal.
3. Method of vital staining of carious spots. Ideal if the doctor has doubts about the diagnosis of caries. The simplest and most reliable way is to stain the stain with a special caries marker (indicator), which is used, for example, a 2% solution of methylene blue dye. If staining has occurred, this is initial caries. Other well-known chemical dyes can also be used: 0.1% solution of methylene red, carmine, congorot, tropeolin, silver nitrate solution.
4. Transillumination. A technique that is used much less frequently, but makes it possible to identify the initial forms of cervical caries when teeth are illuminated with a bright beam of light. In this case, shadow formation is assessed as the beam passes through healthy and caries-affected tissues.

Modern prevention of caries is aimed at eliminating the causes of its development:

• Firstly, it is necessary to break the chain “carbohydrates - microbial factor” (which will stop the development of not only cervical caries, but in general will significantly improve the cariogenic situation in the oral cavity).
• Secondly, it is necessary to strengthen the mineral structures of the enamel.

To implement the first direction, you must perform the following actions:

1. Follow the diet and nature of your diet, focus on solid and moderately rough foods, increase the amount of fruits and vegetables (especially after the main meal), limit the consumption of easily fermentable carbohydrates in any form (cakes, cookies, sweets, sweet buns, etc. .).
2. Follow important hygiene rules: brush, toothpaste and floss all accessible surfaces of the teeth at least twice a day, and rinse your mouth immediately after each meal. It is important to understand that brushing your teeth before eating does not give a good result, since dental plaque, contaminated with microbes, forms within a few hours after a snack.

Note

Floss (dental floss) is by no means a waste of time, but a complete cleaning of the most inaccessible contact surfaces, especially in the cervical area, where caries most often begins to form.

The photo shows an example of using dental floss:

To strengthen the mineral structure of enamel, it is enough to combine the above methods with various forms of preparations for remineralization and fluoridation at home. The range of products containing mineral components (fluorine, calcium, phosphorus) in various combinations is huge. Your dentist will help you figure out what is best for the health of your teeth and also has fewer risks when used independently.

The most popular for home prevention of cervical caries are: toothpastes with fluoride and calcium, rinses (with fluoride), dental floss impregnated with fluoride.

The correct and safe combination of methods and means of prevention is usually selected at an appointment with the dentist. Within 20-40 minutes, the doctor can talk about the pros and cons of each of them, and determine, taking into account individual parameters (dental caries susceptibility, level of hygiene and condition of the cervical area), the most suitable option for you.

Interesting video about the features of cervical caries

An example of the treatment of deep cervical caries using a drill

Caries is the most common disease on Earth; 93% of the Earth's population is susceptible to pathology. Caries is especially developed in the polar regions and developing countries and almost does not appear in the equatorial regions.

Caries occurs when there is a local change in the activity of hydrogen ions pH on the surface of the enamel, which occurs due to glycolysis of carbohydrate under dental plaque and the production of organic acids.

The microorganisms that cause pathology are acid-forming streptococci and some types of lactic bacteria.

Cervical caries, or as it is also called, cervical caries, is one of the most dangerous types of the disease, as it affects the very base of the teeth. Cervical caries eats away the cervical part, the very neck of the tooth and the area bordering the gum.

The basal region, due to its anatomical features, is difficult to access, and cervical caries is the most difficult pathology to detect, so there is a rapid spread of caries and damage to the root and crown in a short period of time.

Causes of cervical caries

The cervical area is the most susceptible part to the effects of carious bacteria. In the crevice spaces between the tooth surface, gums and the area between the teeth, an active atmosphere develops for long-term fixation of deposits.

Insufficiently thorough hygienic procedures of the oral cavity and teeth contribute to the formation of microorganisms in deposits that cause caries.

Anaerobic microorganisms convert carbohydrate deposits into organic acids, which contributes to the destruction of calcium and the formation of carious lesions.

Soft and carbohydrate-rich foods provoke the formation of dental plaque. Also, the appearance of pathogenic flora is influenced by the general condition of the body and the amount of minerals and vitamins in saliva. Saliva can neutralize the effect of acid that destroys tooth enamel and increase the amount of immunoglobulins that prevent the proliferation of bacteria.

Violation of the secretion of the salivary glands and an insufficient amount of viscous saliva secrete contribute to the fixation of bacteria in the pellicle, as a result of which tartar is formed. Impaired saliva production occurs due to the use of certain medications and diseases of the stomach and intestines.

The anatomical structure of the root neck of the tooth in the root areas of dentin has a very fine structure, which contributes to rapid destruction when exposed to pathogenic microflora.

Cervical caries can occur due to dysfunction of the endocrine system, diabetes mellitus, hypofunction and hyperfunction of the thyroid gland.

Important! “Cervical caries requires immediate treatment, even with initial manifestations, since the development of carious erosions can develop directly under the gingival mucosa and in the internal structure of the tooth.”

Symptoms and diagnosis of cervical caries

Symptoms of cervical caries formation can be differentiated by the following characteristics:

• at the first stage The carious lesion is localized on the surface of the enamel without affecting the dentin. An area of ​​demineralization is formed, which is expressed in a change in color, the appearance of a chalky or dark spot. The initial stage can be easily cured at home with careful hygiene and saturation of the enamel with mineral elements;

Suspended cervical caries

With increased immunity and active filling of the enamel surface with the necessary minerals, carious lesions can stop and not spread through the dentinal passages;

• average caries characterized by the formation of carious cavities in the cervical part of the tooth. The main lesion may occur in the gum pockets and may be expressed by pain syndromes. The dental cement of the root structure is exposed to pathological influences, and inflammation can spread to the periodontium.

With moderate degeneration, pain occurs from chemical and thermal influences on the surface: when chewing food and atmospheric temperature changes. Painful sensations are short-term and disappear during the process of adaptation to temperature changes.

Sometimes the average degree of caries damage is painless; this occurs as a result of destruction of the boundary between the enamel and the dentin area, the most sensitive area of ​​the tooth. This phenomenon is the most dangerous, since the destruction of the inner part of the tooth occurs unnoticed by the patient.

In some cases, when a moderate degree of damage occurs, bad breath may appear, but this phenomenon cannot be indicative, since it occurs mainly when several teeth are affected.

• deep cervical caries– this is the last stage of the disease, has a pronounced character, affects not only the surface of the enamel coating, but also the canals of the tooth: the root, pulp and neurovascular bundle.

Diagnosing the symptoms of deep caries is not difficult; the pain syndrome progresses and is provoked by absolutely all external influences: food and water intake, temperature changes and any other influencing factors.

The carious area at the stage of deep damage has a pronounced character and is accompanied by bad breath.

• complicated cervical caries is formed during the advanced process of development of carious lesions with inflammation of the soft tissue of the tooth. The pulp becomes inflamed and causes pain that spreads to nearby teeth and jawbone.

Most often, inflammation of the pulp progresses to the development of periodontitis.

Diagnosis of cervical lesions

Among the most popular methods for diagnosing cervical caries are the following varieties:

Visual method. Tooth surfaces are carefully examined for discoloration, the appearance of white or dark spots, and the appearance of plaque deposits on the cervical area of ​​the tooth.

For medium and deep caries on the inner surface of the enamel, diagnosis is carried out using a specialized mirror and probe. A severe lesion does not require any special diagnostic methods, since the affected area is visible to the naked eye.

Laser diagnostics. Hidden, internal and root caries are diagnosed using laser fluorescence examination.

This is the most sensitive technique for detecting carious lesions and the amount of enamel demineralization. The method is based on the use of an argon laser beam, which illuminates the surface and creates pulsed light waves, the extent of damage to the area is determined by their length.

When the enamel is demineralized, a carious lesion or other anomalies are detected, the laser equipment emits an acoustic signal and displays the value on the device display.

Vital coloring. This method is used for hidden carious lesions and similarities with other dental diseases, such as fluorosis. The suspicious area is pollinated with a solution of methylene blue dye, which, in the presence of pathology, colors the surface blue.

Transillumination of the tooth. An uncommon diagnostic method allows us to identify the very initial manifestations of carious lesions. The research process is carried out by shining bright rays through the teeth, creating a special shadow effect when passing through the affected and healthy tooth tissues.

Important! “Diagnosis of initial caries in the cervical region is complicated by the similarity with a wedge-shaped defect in teeth of non-carious ontogenesis. Determination of demineralized areas at an early stage occurs with the help of special coloring pigments that are applied to the enamel surface; in the presence of damaged areas, the tooth enamel is painted in its original color. This occurs due to the fact that demineralization of the tissue is accompanied by a porous structure and absorbs coloring pigments well.”.

Treatment of cervical caries

If you have been diagnosed with cervical caries, how to treat it due to difficult access to the required surface? Treatment of cervical caries is one of the most difficult procedures in dental practice.

To carry out therapy for initial caries, it is necessary to eliminate dental plaque, clean the gum pockets from carbohydrate deposits and intensively calcify and fluoride the enamel structure.

Treatment of superficial, medium and deep carious lesions is carried out using mechanical action on the tooth, which causes many problems due to the awkward position of the affected cavity: the cervical defect often extends under the gum area.

Treatment process for cervical lesions:

• anesthesia of the required area;
• cleaning the surface from dental plaque;
• cleaning the carious cavity using a rotary instrument;
• removal of all affected tooth tissues, the doctor grinds the edges and forms a cavity for further treatment and filling of the tooth;
• in case of deep caries, the dentist depulps the tooth, the pulp is removed along with the nerve fibers;
• the bottom of the damaged cavity is cleaned manually using a special excavator;
• the resulting space, cleared of carious areas, is disinfected with antibacterial solutions; at great depths, a gasket is placed at the bottom to preserve the tooth structure;
• the walls of the inner surface are treated with adhesive solutions to fix and firmly connect the tooth surface to the filling;
• The cavity is directly filled and the hardened filling is subsequently polished.

Important! “The simplest method of rehabilitation occurs when a chalk spot forms in the initial stage of the disease. In this case, there is no traumatic effect on the tooth surface when using a drill and filling.”

Prevention of cervical caries

Preventive procedures to prevent the occurrence of cervical caries consist of eating a large amount of rough food, raw vegetables, fruits and limiting bakery and confectionery products, strengthening tooth enamel by taking vitamins with a high content of calcium, phosphorus, and using special fluoride toothpastes.

It is necessary to carefully maintain oral hygiene, brush your teeth several times a day and use dental floss.

The main method of prevention is to prevent the appearance of dental plaque. At the first sign of plaque formation, contact your dentist for a professional cleaning.

Cervical caries is a dangerous disease that affects the very base of the tooth. It is strictly necessary to treat it. We will talk about the features of this dental disease and treatment methods below.

Cervical caries is a severe form of dental disease. An aggressive state occurs due to a number of factors.

First factor

If we consider, then these are the root, the crown and, in fact, the neck. The neck itself is located under the edge of the gum. The area where the neck is located is called the cervical area. The cervical area has a small protection in the form of fabric. In this area, tooth enamel is poorly mineralized. Caries affects precisely this weakened area. The disease actively destroys dentin and the enamel itself. The inflammatory process reaches the pulp itself. Depending on the stage of the disease, a person experiences varying degrees of pain. If cervical caries is not treated in a timely manner, it will soon develop into more dangerous diseases such as periodontitis and pulpitis.

Second factor

Cervical caries has a specific circular distribution. Defects in the form of caries quickly spread throughout the entire area. They quickly move to the middle of the crown. Further, the defects begin to deepen under the gum itself and over time, cover the entire tooth in a circle. Without treatment, such caries can lead to the breakage of part of the tooth. Often the disease develops into circular caries.

Third factor

Another feature of cervical caries is that disease defects can be located in the area of ​​the open mouth during a smile. Cervical caries of the anterior teeth greatly affects the human psyche. It can even lead to a nervous breakdown. This psychological problem often concerns public people who are busy with business contacts and are constantly in public.

If the areas affected by caries are located on the side of the lateral teeth, which are not visible to the eye, then they do not cause such strong feelings. But another problem arises: sick people usually do not strive to heal such invisible caries. Over time, cervical lesions of the lateral teeth begin to cause pain and sensitivity from various irritants. If treatment is delayed, cervical caries will develop into a more complex form.

How does cervical caries develop?

Cervical caries develops in several stages. At each stage it is characterized by its own clinical picture.

• First stage:. A small stain forms on the surface of the tooth. It may not change in shape and size for a long time. With this form there is no pain. But sometimes the teeth may set on edge, especially from taking sour or other irritants. The color of the spot can be white or pigmented. The shade depends on the speed of development of caries and its staining with food coloring. The enamel itself becomes thinner and acquires a matte tint. But it still feels smooth. The first stage of the disease is treated conservatively; drill preparation is not used here.
• Second stage: superficial cervical caries. The spot becomes rough. The process of destruction of the enamel begins. Painful sensations that appear from various irritants: sour, sweet, spicy foods and drinks begin to bother you. There have been cases when the stage of superficial caries was asymptomatic. This stage is characterized by fairly rapid progression of the disease.
• Third stage: average cervical caries. A carious cavity forms here. Dentin and enamel are simultaneously affected. The defect is very noticeable visually. The pain becomes much more intense.
• Fourth stage: deep cervical caries. The disease penetrates into the deepest tissues, which are located next to the neurovascular bundle. Caries affects the pulp and dental canals. The patient begins to suffer from unbearable pain, which intensifies at night. A person also begins to feel pain when inhaling cold air.

Determining the stage of the disease can be difficult. It is not visually clear to what stage the cervical caries has reached. There is a fairly smooth transition between developmental stages.

Symptoms

Having described the mechanism of development of cervical caries, we list the generalized symptoms:

• The appearance of a visible stain on the surface of the tooth.
• Formation of a corrosion cavity.
• Headache.
• Night toothache.
• Pain while chewing food.
• Feeling of tooth pain (reaction to irritants).
• Soreness in the mouth during brushing and toothpaste.

Reasons

Some causes of cervical caries are similar to the causes of ordinary caries. Let's look at them.

1. Features of the structure of the cervical region. The gingival zone collects plaque very quickly. It is difficult to remove dental plaque with a brush without injury. As a result, soft tissues are always injured. If you don’t make an effort when cleaning, the plaque near the neck of the tooth always remains in place in a fairly large amount. Plaque contains cariogenic microorganisms that destroy the neck of the tooth. In addition, the thickness of the cervical enamel is only 0.1 mm. Compared to other areas of the teeth, this is a very small value. A thin layer of enamel is also easily damaged by hard bristles of a brush or aggressive cleaning pastes. The enamel layer wears off even more. As a result, the tooth becomes susceptible to damage by pathogenic bacteria.
2. Finding leftover food in the mouth. Food is collected in peculiar pockets that are located near the gums and teeth. When food remains decompose, lactic acid is released, which leads to demineralization of tooth enamel.
3. Excessive consumption of foods that contain quickly fermentable carbohydrates. For example, this applies to sucrose. Fermentation of carbohydrates leads to the appearance of organic acid, which begins to rapidly corrode the enamel.
4. Frequent consumption of acidic foods.
5. Significant deficiency of vitamins, especially vitamin B1.
6. Treatment with medications that significantly increase the porosity of the enamel.
7. Presence of endocrine diseases, hormonal disorders.
8. Pregnancy period.
9. Insufficient or improper hygiene, which results in soft plaque and hard stone.

In most cases, cervical caries begins to develop in elderly and senile people.

Diagnosis of the disease

Root tooth damage is very easy to diagnose, even at home. It can be seen by carefully examining the teeth using a mirror and good lighting. There is usually a whitish spot near the neck of the tooth, which is similar in color to chalk. Detection of a defect should prompt a person to visit a dentist. The doctor will treat early-stage cervical caries.

The doctor can also confirm the diagnosis using a certain test. The patient is allowed to rinse his mouth with a dye solution. After rinsing, the white area indicating the disease turns dark. Other surfaces of the teeth remain unpainted. This happens due to the fact that the affected area has a porous structure, into which the dye used can easily penetrate. The patient should not worry that his teeth will now be darker. The color will fade after a few hours.

The doctor also diagnoses diseases based on the following signs:

• Presence of a poor spot: first stage.
• The enamel is destroyed, the dentin layer is not affected: the second stage.
• Deep damage to the enamel, layers (superficial and middle) of dentin are also damaged: the third stage.
• The enamel and deep layers of dentin are severely destroyed: the fourth stage.

When diagnosing, the doctor may use other methods. For example, transillumination, radiography, radiovisiographic examination, EOM and others.

Treatment Options

The treatment method depends on the stage of the disease. Treatment, except for the first stage, is carried out under the influence of painkillers. The fact is that the neck of the fur coat is a very sensitive area. Therefore, any aggressive influence causes unbearable pain to the patient. Patients do not have to worry about the pain of treatment. Because if the dentist understands that he will cause pain to the patient, he will definitely administer anesthesia.

Spot stage

The stain can be “removed” using remineralizing therapy. This therapy program includes:

• Cleansing tooth enamel from formed plaque and stone.
• Carrying out application using fluorine-containing compounds. Such compositions are sometimes replaced with special gels. Ca/P, Fluoroden Gluflutored or Belagel F are used as these drugs. The listed products allow you to achieve a good visible result in just a few applications. Under their influence, the enamel layers are regenerated and the process of caries development is stopped.
• Carrying out rinsing with special solutions at home.
• Using toothpaste with fluoride (the concentration of the active substance should be 1000-1500 ppm).
• Use with fluoride content.
• Use of fluoridated water and salt.

It should be remembered that before applying special gels or pastes, plaque and stone must be removed.

Stage of superficial caries

At this stage, the affected carious area is polished. Diseased tissue is removed. In addition, remineralization therapy is recommended.

Stage of average caries

At the stage of medium caries, the damaged tissue is first removed, then the resulting cavity is treated with special preparations. At the last stage, a filling is installed.

Stage of deep caries

This stage is the most difficult to treat. The dentist is forced to remove the pulp, thoroughly clean the root canals and perform a filling.

The doctor can easily reach the oral cavity and carry out treatment. The difficulty lies only in machining this area, because:

• The cervical area is extremely inconvenient for filling. If the patient still has subgingival caries, this significantly aggravates the situation.
• The treatment area is constantly exposed to moisture (saliva).
• The blood that accompanies the process interferes with the work.

The entire process of getting rid of deep caries takes place in several stages:

1. Conducting anesthesia. The gum is a very sensitive organ. Therefore, any doctor’s manipulations cause pain to a person. You can't do without painkillers here.
2. Carrying out professional cleaning. The deposits are removed from the tooth, as a result, the likelihood of infection is significantly reduced.
3. Setting the color of the filling material. The composite material used should be as close as possible to the original enamel color. This is quite an important stage.
4. Retraction of gums. The procedure is necessary to treat the area under the gum.
5. Preparation of a carious defect. Here, using a drill, tissue that has been affected by caries is removed.
6. Tooth isolation.
7. Carrying out the formation of a cavity for further installation of a permanent filling.
8. Treating the created cavity with adhesive. The material helps the filling adhere well to the tooth surface.
9. . This is a structural stage at which the structure and functionality of the tooth is restored. The filling material is applied in layers. Each layer is processed with a photopolymerization lamp.
10. Carrying out polishing and grinding. Here the doctor creates the correct natural form. This is a corrective stage in which the tooth is restored to its aesthetics.

Dentists often use glass ionomer cements for fillings. They are very stable in humid environments, are triple-cured, durable and have a fairly wide range of colors. Doctors also continue to use composite materials, which are much more aesthetically pleasing.

Treatment at home

Many people wonder: how to help themselves with cervical caries on their own, whether it is possible to cure the disease at home. It is possible, but only at the stain stage, that is, at the first stage. Among the drugs used in treatment, PresidentUnique, Ftorodent, Blend-a-med Anticaries, or Icon are often used. In addition, it is recommended to rinse your mouth with sodium fluoride and drink additional calcium tablets.

1. Sage. Pour one glass of boiling water over a tablespoon of herbs and leave for 1 hour. After cooling, treatment is carried out by rinsing.
2. Onion peel. Three teaspoons of husk are poured into half a liter of boiling water and put on fire to boil. Afterwards, the infusion is filtered and allowed to brew for 8 hours. Treat the tooth by rinsing.
3. Fir oil. For treatment, lotions are made from the named remedy.
4. Common angelica. Hold it in your mouth for 20 minutes and spit it out.
5. Calamus tincture. Calamus root is infused with vodka (0.5 l) and kept for one week. Rinsing is carried out for several minutes. It is not advisable to use infused calamus internally.

Prevention

It is advisable to prevent the appearance of cervical caries. To do this, constant hygiene is necessary. When cleaning, you should only use a good brush with medium-hard bristles. In daily care it is better to use only high-quality pastes. Dentist advice will help with this.

It is necessary to use dental floss. They clean the interdental space well.

After main meals and snacks, you should rinse your teeth. An irrigator helps with care. It makes care more complete.

Twice a year, in addition to treatment, you need to visit a dentist who will assess the condition of your teeth, restore them, whiten them and remineralize them.

It is necessary to carry out procedures at home that regenerate and restore tooth enamel. These include gum massage, application of preventive compositions, rinsing with herbal decoctions.

You also need to consume enough calcium and reduce your intake of sweets to a minimum.

Cervical caries occurs due to other diseases of the body, such as endocrine disorders. Therefore, such diseases must be treated so as not to completely lose teeth and not make the treatment of cervical caries useless.

Serious consequences from cervical caries can be avoided if all actions are systemic. After all, the disease affects the root of the tooth, and this is its basis.

Cervical caries, also known as cervical caries, occurs quite often even with the capabilities of modern hygiene and is a common dental disease.

What is cervical caries

Cervical caries takes its name from its location on the neck of the tooth and spreads to nearby tissues. Due to the peculiarities of its location, cervical caries is usually not visible at the initial stage, so cases of its early diagnosis are rare. In most cases, cervical caries is diagnosed at a deep stage, when the pulp or root of the tooth is affected. In the latter case, the tooth can no longer be cured, and the doctor can only remove it. Therefore, early diagnosis of cervical caries at the stage when the disease is asymptomatic helps to avoid problems in the future.

Factors causing the disease

Cervical caries appears primarily due to thinning of dentin. Dentin becomes thinner due to prolonged exposure to lactic acid, which accumulates on the neck of the tooth due to improper hygiene. Even with professional cleaning, the neck of the tooth can be very difficult to treat. The development of cervical caries is promoted by a genetic factor, as well as a number of chronic diseases. Dentistry identifies the following reasons for the development of cervical caries:

• Enamel demineralization

The presence of lactic acid waste products of bacteria present in the oral cavity and saliva contributes to the demineralization of enamel. Their long-term impact on the enamel is possible if the rules of oral hygiene are not followed.

• Avitaminosis

Vitamin deficiency has a direct impact on the condition of the gums: the gum pockets formed due to a lack of vitamins become a place for the accumulation of food debris and the proliferation of bacteria. As a result, the enamel on the neck of the tooth becomes thinner and becomes susceptible to caries.

• Chalky spots

This is the main symptom of the onset of cervical caries that you should pay attention to. If chalky spots are not noticed in time, the disease continues to develop to deeper stages, when serious treatment is required. Unfortunately, it can be almost impossible to notice cervical caries at the spot stage; this can only be done by a dentist during a routine examination.

The following signs of cervical caries are distinguished::

• chalky spots of different sizes;
• discomfort and pain upon contact with food and liquids;
• tooth sensitivity to high and low temperatures, acid exposure;
• night toothaches;
• headache;
• discomfort and pain when brushing your teeth.

If you are concerned about these symptoms, you should see a dentist immediately. Otherwise, it is impossible to prevent the development of cervical caries.

Stages of caries development

The development of the carious process in the neck of the tooth occurs sequentially, replacing the stages of the lesion.

• Initial

This is also the spot stage. An unnatural white spot appears on the tooth enamel, but no discomfort or other symptoms are observed. The stain may be stained by food substances and liquids, making it difficult to evaluate independently.

Cervical caries at this stage is diagnosed by visual signs that can only be assessed by a dentist, however, its treatment is carried out with the most gentle non-invasive intervention. This means that opening the tooth enamel with a drill is not required, so only one visit to the dental office will be enough.

• Superficial

It is at this stage that the neck of the tooth begins to react to contact with food, liquids, and temperature changes. This is due to the fact that at this stage of cervical caries the enamel is already damaged. Signs of superficial cervical caries cannot be ignored, as it inevitably progresses to more serious stages.

• Average caries

At this stage, caries affects not only the enamel, but also the dentin, so the tooth’s reaction to irritants intensifies. The pain goes away quickly, so many patients do not consider dental care necessary.

• Deep caries

The very last stage of caries, characterized by deep damage to the tooth, down to the pulp. Symptoms of deep caries are unbearable, almost persistent pain, which intensifies at night.

How is cervical caries treated?

To treat the initial stage of cervical caries, conservative methods are used. First, it is necessary to clean the tooth of plaque and stone, then the doctor prescribes remineralizing therapy with drugs that contain calcium and fluoride. Means for remineralization and fluoridation of teeth should be prescribed by the attending physician in clearly established dosages.

The stages of treatment of cervical caries at the onset of the disease are as follows::

• Professional cleaning of tooth enamel from plaque and tartar.
• Application of remineralizing gels and applications of preparations containing fluoride (carried out over 2-3 sessions).
• Taking medications prescribed by a doctor.
• Compliance with doctor's recommendations for hygiene measures.

Treatment of cervical caries in case of damage to tooth enamel is carried out using a drill and consists of the following stages:

• Professional cleaning of plaque and stone.
• Choosing the color of the composite - it must fully match the natural shade of the enamel.
• Preparation of the tooth neck and adjacent tissues affected by caries using local anesthesia.
• Isolation of the tooth and creation of an adhesive coating in the created cavity.
• Filling a tooth and giving it an aesthetic appearance.
• Grinding and polishing of teeth.

Cervical caries is complicated by the subgingival location of the lesion, so the doctor must be highly qualified. Moisture and blood can get into the working space, and cervical caries is especially inconvenient when filling. When working, the dentist must be extremely careful not to damage the delicate gum tissue.

To treat caries, fillings made of glass ionomer cements, organically modified ceramics, light-curing composites, etc. are used. Correctly selected treatment allows not only to completely cure caries, but also to give the previously affected tooth an aesthetic appearance.

Despite the difficulties associated with the treatment of cervical caries, modern capabilities make it possible to cure any stage of it, including complications such as pulpitis and other serious consequences of an advanced disease. This is largely due to technological equipment that simplifies the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the teeth and oral cavity.

Doctors by referral

11102, 11106, 11103, 11101, 11108, 11114, 11111, 11162

Zhigunova Svetlana Yurievna

Chief physician of the clinic at 20 Kolomyazhsky Ave.
Periodontist

Dubinskaya Anna Yakovlevna

Dentist-therapist
Pediatric dentist

IvaninaVera Rashidovna

Dentist-therapist

TikhanovaAlla Mikhailovna

Dentist-therapist
Pediatric dentist

Tsarkova Tatyana Vladimirovna

Dentist-therapist

Shashorina Darina Gennadievna

Dentist-therapist

Batyukova Oksana Ivanovna

Dentist-therapist
Pediatric dentist

Zhivotovskaya Nina Arturovna

Dentist-therapist
Periodontist

• Lepikhova K.A.:

  I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Dr. A.A. Oganesyan. and her assistants for the quality treatment, responsiveness and such a responsible attitude to their work! I come to the appointment and want to smile, the doctors and staff of the clinic create an unusually kind, sincere atmosphere.

  I wish you interesting opportunities at work, good clients and, of course, prosperity in your personal life.

  I will come back to you again, but I am sure that with such high-quality treatment - only for a professional examination. Thank you!

• Koposovs:

  Many thanks to Komarova E.V. for your kind attitude, complicity and patience in the treatment of Nastya and Katya.

• Myasnikova Lyudmila:

  I would like to say a huge thank you to the dental surgeon Vitaly Konstantinovich Konishchev for his high professionalism, attention, and kind attitude. And I’m very glad that there is a truly “Good Dentist” clinic where you can come with confidence that you will receive qualified help. Thank you!

• Vorobyova M.N. (mother of Vorobyov Svyatoslav):

  Thank you very much to Dr. Kobalia V.M.!!! I removed a child’s teeth more than once, so that neither I nor the child understood anything. Thank you again for your work, more such specialists. I recommend it to everyone, especially children!

  Health, all the best.

Equipment used

Is it possible to cure cervical caries on your own?

It is generally accepted that it is impossible to cure caries at home. However, under some circumstances, home treatment of cervical caries gives good results. We are talking about caries in the stain stage, which has not yet damaged the tooth enamel, but is only developing on its surface. Treatment with remineralizing gels and preparations containing fluoride and calcium helps strengthen the enamel and allows you to postpone a trip to the dentist for a long time. However, when self-treating caries at home, it is worth considering the following features:

• Uniqueness of each case

Cervical caries manifests itself in different ways, which is determined by the properties of the enamel, the depth of its damage, the localization of the disease and many other factors. The formation of cervical caries is influenced by the age of the patient, as well as his daily habits regarding compliance with hygiene rules. The process is aggravated by the general condition of the body, the condition of the remaining teeth, etc.

When choosing a remedy for treating cervical caries at home, only a qualified dentist can fully take into account all these factors. A remedy chosen independently and found to be effective can have a positive effect due to a fortunate combination of circumstances, since not every patient is able to independently assess the scale of the problem.

• Choice of drug

The pharmacological industry provides a wide selection of various means for the prevention and treatment of cervical caries. But no one guarantees that the remedy you choose will have the desired effect. The choice of medication and its dosage is a task for the attending physician. A pharmaceutical preparation can in a short time prevent the development of cervical caries at the spot stage, however, with an increased concentration of fluorides or other active substances, the effect threatens to be the opposite.

• Diagnostic problem

Cervical caries can be cured on its own only in the initial stage. But only an experienced dentist will determine the true extent of the disease. Moreover, visual signs that an ordinary patient mistakes for caries may in fact be ordinary pigmented plaque or tartar. Another serious pathology is often mistaken for caries: for example, enamel hypoplasia.

A characteristic symptom of cervical caries at the initial stage is a pain syndrome that accompanies a person constantly, intensifies at night or even appears only during meals. If for some reason going to the dentist is impossible, you can get rid of pain for a while using traditional medicine, rather than experimenting with chemicals. And at the first opportunity you should go to the dentist for qualified treatment.

The following traditional methods of pain relief for different types of caries are effective::

• Infusions: herbs are used for rinsing the mouth - oregano, knotweed, sage, lemon balm, mallow, blackberry leaves. Blueberries are also effective.
• Decoctions: decoctions of wormwood, tricolor violet, valerian, oak and aspen bark are used for rinsing the mouth.
• Roots: angelica and calamus - you need to chew them.
• Propolis tincture: you need to rinse your mouth with it, first diluting it with water.

Although the effect of folk remedies does not last long, they can still significantly reduce pain. But this method of treatment has a downside: having quenched the pain, the healing tincture can mask developing pulpitis and other complications that threaten tooth loss. Therefore, no matter how effective alternative treatment is, a visit to the dentist to relieve the disease is mandatory.

Cost of dental services

• Treatment of caries

Prevention

Cervical caries develops both with a hereditary or disease-related tendency, and in its absence. This is due to the fact that most patients do not realize the importance of preventive measures, which are more effective than any, even the most modern, treatment. Dentists recommend following simple rules to protect your teeth from caries:

• Limiting the amount of flour and sweets in the diet

These foods contain carbohydrates and large amounts of glucose, which creates a favorable breeding ground for bacteria on the surface of the teeth. Bacteria convert glucose into acid, which damages enamel. By limiting the amount of flour and sweets, you will reduce the risk of tooth decay.

• Proper consumption of carbohydrates

It is not necessary to completely exclude carbohydrates from your diet: it is enough to follow the basic rules for their use. It is not recommended to consume sweets at night and outside of main meals. After eating sweets, you need to brush your teeth well or at least rinse your mouth.

• Including foods with coarse fibers in your diet

Coarse fibers found in vegetables, fruits and grains help remove plaque and food debris from tooth enamel, especially when consumed after every meal.

• Regular teeth cleaning

Contrary to popular belief, brushing your teeth in the morning is not so important, since the main danger to enamel comes from food debris. It is much more important to brush your teeth immediately after eating, since it is at this time that bacteria begin to multiply on the enamel.

• Teeth brushing technique

Your hygienist will teach you the essential basics. Most people brush their teeth incorrectly, which often causes caries. Proper brushing technique helps clean the enamel surface, so you should learn it from an early age.

• Flossing

This is an indispensable way to prevent cervical caries, since dental floss is the easiest way to penetrate the interdental space, including the gingival areas.

Every person who is interested in preventing cervical caries should have in their arsenal:

• Toothpaste containing fluoride from 1000 to 1500 pm prevents the occurrence and development of cervical caries.
• Fluoridated floss (dental floss) provides not only effective mechanical cleaning of teeth, but also their remineralization.
• Fluoride rinses: Complete the cleaning of teeth.

Like products for home treatment, the above hygiene products should be selected in accordance with the recommendations of a dentist. Although for the most part they are completely safe, the advisability of their use is determined by other reasons. Fillings, dentures and missing teeth, the health status and age of the patient are what must be taken into account when choosing oral hygiene products. The concentration of fluoride in the water in your region also has an impact. Fluoridated hygiene products are not always really necessary: ​​an overdose of fluoride is just as dangerous as a lack of it.

Therefore, in order to collect a full range of oral hygiene products, it is better to consult a dentist. A competent approach to dental care and preventive measures will reduce the risk of cervical caries, even if you are prone to this disease.

And, of course, a mandatory preventive measure is a scheduled visit to the dentist. This is the only way to identify caries in the early stages and avoid expensive treatment in the future.

This is called the neck of the tooth. The name comes from the location of this disease. Cervical caries is the most serious and dangerous type of caries, because it affects the tooth in its most vulnerable place - at the base. If it is not treated, the disease deepens with damage to all the canals of the tooth, which inevitably leads to its loss. This type of caries is mainly observed in people over thirty years of age.

Cervical caries

Reasons for appearance

The causes are cariogenic bacteria that live in dental plaque and tartar. Microorganisms process food debris, turning them into organic acids that damage tooth enamel, leaching calcium from it. Microorganisms can change their composition and become pathogenic, thereby causing disease with poor oral care and based on the anatomical features of the enamel of the neck of the teeth. Some patients are predisposed to gum detachment. Because this area is poorly cleaned of food debris, a large number of pathogenic microorganisms are formed in the gum pockets, which cause cervical caries.

Thus, the reasons boil down to the following:

• insufficient hygienic care;
• anatomical predisposition.

Mechanical damage to the enamel of the tooth neck can also contribute to the occurrence of caries; it can cause damage abrasive toothpastes and toothpowders, which, by damaging the enamel, open the way for pathogenic bacteria. This is where the enamel is thinnest and needs constant care and attention.

Cervical caries can spread with frequent consumption of acidic foods or medications that make the enamel porous. The first sign that the enamel has become thin and needs care is the reaction of the teeth to sour and cold things. This factor increases the risk of disease.

To strengthen and make the enamel in the root zone more dense, you need to apply special preparations to the cervical area, these manipulations are performed by a dentist, but you can do it yourself.

Symptoms of the disease

Symptoms of cervical caries are different, if detected, you need to seek qualified help immediately specialist They are similar to the symptoms of caries in any other part of the tooth.

In some cases, the disease is discovered in the chair during a dental examination. The initial stage of cervical caries, its photo is shown below, is easily treated with the help of remineralization, without the use of a drill.

If pain occurs when eating food, and upon examination the doctor notices a dark spot, then this stage already requires more thorough treatment. With this type of caries pain is always present and carious cavities form as the enamel thins.

Also, thin enamel reacts to various irritants, for example, mechanical ones - when brushing your teeth, pain appears.

Diagnosis of the disease

Cervical caries is easily diagnosed, since the affected areas are visible to the naked eye. The patient himself, looking in the mirror, can easily detect white chalky areas at the base of the tooth. But sometimes doctors use special solutions for an accurate diagnosis and ask the patient to rinse his mouth with them.

These dyes penetrate only into demineralized porous enamel, and cannot penetrate into healthy, calcium-coated enamel. The subject rinses his mouth with clean water and you can immediately see where the paint has lingered. After a few hours this color disappears.

Cervical caries or wedge-shaped defect?

Another common dental disease is a wedge-shaped defect. It appears on the outside of the tooth as a V-shaped flaw. This “wedge” is directed up or down towards the jaw. The teeth most often affected are those that experience the maximum load when chewing - canines and premolars. Many patients confuse a wedge-shaped defect with cervical caries, since their localization is the same, and require treatment corresponding to the caries.

But this cannot be done, because there are differences between these diseases.

1. With a wedge-shaped defect, the color of the tooth enamel remains the same, and the damaged V-shaped area remains dense and polished.
2. Cervical caries has a loose, rough structure, brown color and irregular shape.
3. A wedge-shaped defect has a long period of development, and cervical caries can destroy a tooth in a short period of time of several months.

Cervical caries

How to treat cervical caries?

Modern treatment of cervical caries is similar to the treatment of any other part of the tooth and should be reduced to a series of therapeutic procedures, which must be carried out by the dentist. However, it is impossible to start treatment without proper diagnosis to identify the stage of the disease.

Stages of cervical caries

As you know, the disease is divided into four stages.

1. At the first stage of the disease, in the gum area, the enamel changes color, becoming dark.
2. During the second stage, a chalky, rough spot forms.
3. The third stage is characterized by the appearance of a “hollow”, with which the affected areas are even more noticeable.
4. At the fourth stage, the canals are affected.

Treatment of cervical caries, which is at the initial stage, in which only a spot is visible, and the enamel is not severely damaged, comes down to applications with drugs aimed at compacting the enamel in this area.

But in order to finally get rid of the discoloration in this damaged area, you need to choose one of the options described below.

First option.

In the first option, the doctor applies to the damaged area bleaching or etching gel, which discolors pigments. But due to these manipulations, the tissue becomes even thinner and more permeable to both dyes and teeth. Then the dentist continues the treatment and applies a special composition to the cervical area of ​​the tooth to strengthen and reduce the permeability of the enamel.

If attempts to discolor the enamel were not successful and the color remained the same, then this only means that the caries lasted long enough and had already stained the deeper layers of the enamel. In this case, the dentist must resort to the second treatment option.

Second option

The dentist begins to carefully polish the painted enamel with various polishers, after which he applies a medicinal composition, saturating the enamel.

If caries, getting deeper and deeper, has already affected the dentin, then this treatment will no longer be effective, since it is porous and requires a deeper color. In this case, treatment of cervical caries is carried out using traditional methods. The dentist carefully removes all damage and restores the tooth structure with filling materials.

Features of treatment

With this disease, caries is located in maximum proximity to the gum, which interferes with treatment, significantly complicates it and delays the recovery process. In the cervical area, it is quite difficult to keep the working field dry for reliable treatment. In case of moisture contact, there is a high probability of poor sealing, due to which it may fall out and the doctor is forced to perform the procedure again.

Another treatment method

There is another way to treat this disease, which involves accurately reproducing the contour and volume of the tooth. The fillings are quite thin, and if low-quality material is used, there is a high risk of it falling out, which can lead to recurrent caries.

It is important to remember that when caries is detected you must consult a doctor immediately and the sooner you start treatment, the more effective it will be. By taking care of your teeth, you are making an impact for many years to come.